Multi-purpose hand-held device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a multipurpose hand-held implement having a first component ( 1 ) and a second component ( 2 ) which are connected to one another for pivoting action about a pin ( 3 ) and can be moved between a first position, in which they form, together, an elongate body, and a second position, in which they form a free space for material which is to be stapled, one component ( 1 ) comprising a staple magazine ( 4 ) and a top part ( 10 ) with a staple driver ( 5 ) and the other component ( 2 ) comprising an anvil ( 6 ), and a roll-up measuring tape ( 23 ) being arranged in the body with its winding spindle ( 24 ) parallel to the pin ( 3 ), and adjacent to the latter, such that it can be pulled out on that end side of the body which is located adjacent to the pin ( 3 ).

The invention relates to a multipurpose hand-held implement according tothe preamble of claim 1.

Such multipurpose hand-held implements with a stapler and a roll-upmeasuring tape are known from WO 97/04924, the roll-up measuring tapebeing arranged in a plane parallel to the bearing platform of thestapler for material which is to be stapled and taking up acorresponding amount of space, which is then not available foradditional swing-out tools such as scissors, a knife blade, magnifierglass or the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a multipurpose hand-heldimplement according to the preamble of claim 1 which makes it possibleto accommodate a roll-up measuring tape in an area which detracts aslittle as possible from the rest of the functions.

This object is achieved in accordance with the characterizing part ofclaim 1.

Further configurations of the invention can be gathered from thefollowing description and the subclaims.

The invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference toexemplary embodiments illustrated in the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, in section, an embodiment of a multipurpose hand-heldimplement having two components in the closed position with toolspartially swung out,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the top, uncovered component of themultipurpose hand-held implement,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of an articulationregion of the components of the multipurpose hand-held implement fromFIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows, in section, a roll-up-measuring-tape installation modulefor the multipurpose hand-held implement from FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows, in section, a further embodiment of a multipurposehand-held implement having two components in the closed position andtools swung in,

FIGS. 6 to 9 show perspective views, some in detail form, of componentsof the multipurpose hand-held implement from FIG. 5, and

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view, in detail form, of a furtherembodiment of the multipurpose hand-held implement from FIG. 5.

The multipurpose hand-held implement illustrated, which serves, inparticular, for carrying out office work and comprises a stapler, has afirst component 1 and a second component 2 which are connected to oneanother for pivoting action about a pin 3. The first component 1comprises a stapler magazine 4 and a top part 10 with a stapler driver5, while the second component 2 has an anvil 6 for folding over ends ofejected staples during the stapling operation.

The two components 1, 2, each provided with a respective outer shell 1a, 2 a, can be moved between a closed position, in which they form,together, an elongate, essentially closed body, and a second, openposition, in which they are arranged at an angle in relation to oneanother to form a free space for the introduction of material which isto be stapled. The movement from the open position into the closedposition takes place about the pin 3, which is mounted in lateral legs 7of a U-shaped bearing block 8 (which can best be seen in FIG. 7) borneby the bottom component 2, and counter to the force of two clip springs9, which are positioned around the pin 3 and have their legs supported,on the one hand, on the bottom component 2 and, on the other hand, onthe top part 10, which bears the staple driver 5.

A manually releasable locking mechanism (not illustrated) may beprovided in order to retain the two components 1, 2 in the positionillustrated in FIG. 1 and/or, following release from this position, toallow these two components to pivot into the open position.

Such a multipurpose hand-held implement is illustrated and described,for example, in WO 97/04924.

The bottom component 2 is covered in the direction of the top component1 by a base plate 11 into which the clip springs 9 are fitted and whichaccommodates the anvil 6.

Moreover, additional swing-out tools 12, for example scissors 12 a, aknife blade 12 b and a staple remover 12 c, are arranged in an outwardlyopen accommodating space of the bottom component 2. The swing-out tools12 have shanks 14 which can be rotated about a common pivot pin 13 andare each subjected to the action of a leaf spring 15, with the resultthat the swing-out tools 12 are prestressed into the swung-in positionand are latched in a manually releasable manner in the swung-outposition by virtue of a head 16 of the leaf spring 15 being latched intoa cutout 17 of the shank. In the swung-out position, the two components1, 2, in the closed state illustrated in FIG. 1, serve as a handle forthe respective swing-out tool 12.

A lifting mechanism 18, which can be actuated via levers 19 fittedlaterally on the bottom component 2, serves for raising the swing-outtools 12 some way counter to the force of the leaf springs 15, with theresult that they are easier to grip and swing out.

A multipurpose hand-held implement having swing-out tools and a liftingmechanism is illustrated and described, for example, in WO 99/20438.

The top part 10 is forked in the rear portion and articulated on the pin3 such that it can be pivoted via legs 10 a. The staple magazine 4,furthermore, comprises an outer channel 20, which is likewise forked andcan be pivoted about the pin 3. The outer channel 20 serves foraccommodating a staple carrier 21, which accommodates a block of stapleswhich is pushed against a front wall of the staple carrier 21 by meansof a spring-activated slide (not illustrated). The staple carrier 21has, in the direction of the anvil 6, a slot through which a staple canpass out under the action of the staple driver 5, upon actuation of thestapler, in order then to be folded over by the anvil 6.

A roll-up measuring tape 23 is fastened on the base plate 11approximately centrally in relation to the longitudinal axis of theimplement, the measuring tape being arranged in a housing 22 and beingwound up about a winding spindle 24 which runs parallel to the pin 3. Inthe exemplary embodiment illustrated, the base plate 11 is provided witha cutout 11 a and the housing 22, on the one hand, is fitted into thebase plate 11 via a hook-like extension 25 with a groove 26 and, on theother hand, is fastened on the base plate 11 by means of at least onerivet 27 which extends through the base plate 11 and the bearing block8. (Instead of the at least one rivet 27, it is also possible to providea snap-action catch.) The housing 22, which may additionally have a stop28 for positioning in the cutout of the base plate 11, is locatedbetween the clip springs 9, the forked portions of the top part 10, ofthe outer channel 20 and of the staple carrier 21 and between the legs 7of the bearing block 8, and projects beneath the shell la of the topcomponent 1, with the result that the space beneath the base plate 11 isessentially not occupied by the housing 22. Depending on the arrangementof the swing-out tools 12, it is possible to arrange the housing 22wholly or partially beneath the base plate 11 or on the first component1.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the roll-upmeasuring tape 23 is guided out of the bottom component 2, essentiallyparallel to the base plate 11, via a central slot on the end side whichis located opposite the anvil 6. The roll-up measuring tape 23 can alsobe guided out of the bottom component 2 in a state in which it isoffset, for example, through 90°. The bottom component 2 has an accesshollow 29 for accommodating and for gripping an angled, thickened endpart 30 of the roll-up measuring tape 23.

In addition, a brake 31 is expediently provided for the roll-upmeasuring tape 23. The brake 31 comprises a button 33 which is arrangedfor pivoting action about a pin 32. The button 33 is pushed against theroll-up measuring tape 23 by a leg spring 34 which is positioned aroundthe pin 32 and is supported, on the one hand, on the button 33 and, onthe other hand, on a leg 35 of the housing 22. Corresponding actuationof the button 33 counter to the force of the leg spring 34 releases theroll-up measuring tape 23 in order to be pulled out or automaticallyrolled in. In the present exemplary embodiment, the button 33 isprovided with the access hollow 29.

The housing 22 with the roll-up measuring tape 23 and, if appropriate,the brake 31 is expediently a prefabricated module which is used as suchand is fastened on the base plate 11, it being possible for the roll-upmeasuring tape 23 to be located, with its housing 22, in the top and/orbottom component 1, 2.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in FIGS. 5to 9, the housing 22 for the roll-up measuring tape 23 forms aready-to-install subassembly together with the brake 31, the brake 31being retained on the housing 22 via the pin 32 (the spring 34 not beingillustrated here). The resulting unit is inserted from beneath into acorresponding cutout 11 a of the base plate 11, which bears the bearingblock 8. In this case, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the border of thebase plate 11 is accommodated in the housing 22 in the inward directionby a slot 22 a, whereupon the housing 22 is pushed upwards, with theresult that the opposite border of the base plate 11 latches in betweena ramp-like protrusion 22 b and a step 22 c on the housing 22. Thebearing block 8, which is fastened on the base plate 11, is expedientlyprovided with a cutout which is somewhat larger than the cutout 11 a inthe base plate 11, with the result that the housing 22 merely grips theborder of the latter. For space-related reasons, the housing 22 may beprovided with an opening 23 on the top side.

It is also the case in this exemplary embodiment that the top part 10,the outer channel 20 and the staple carrier 21 are provided withthrough-passage openings 39 for the housing 22.

FIG. 5 shows the implement in the closed state. In order to open theimplement, i.e. in order to pivot the two components 1, 2 about the pin3, a button 36 which latches in a latching spring 38 can be displaced onthe top side of the component 1. As a result, a closing plate 37 (FIG.6) which is coupled to the button 36, is displaced in relation to thetop part 10, which is located in the component 1 and can be pivotedabout the pin 3, from a locking position into an opening position, withthe result that an introduction slot for material which is to be stapledis opened in a mouth-like manner between the two components 1, 2.

That part of the stapler which comprises the staple magazine 4, thestaple driver 5, the outer channel 20 and the staple carrier 21 and isaccommodated by the top part 10 is retained in the inactive position inthe top part 10 by a locking means 40. It is possible to release thelocking means 40, and thus activate the stapler, via a button 41.

The top part 10 accommodates the outer channel 20 of the stapler and atrigger 42, which can both likewise be pivoted about the pin 3, it beingpossible for the trigger 42 to be pivoted via a button 43, by virtue ofthe latter being pushed in, into a position in which the staple carrier21, which is retained by the trigger 42 via fork ends 21 a (see FIG. 9),is released and (with the stapler activated) can be moved under a springforce into an extended position, with the result that a new block ofstaples can be introduced.

The top part 10 has its opening angle limited via stops 44 on thebearing block 8. Located on the outer channel 20 are transmission levers45 which interact with slides 46, which can be displaced in relation tothe base plate 11, during stapling, i.e. during closure of theintroduction slot between the two components 1, 2, in order to form aso-called flat-clinch mechanism. As a result, a paper rest 47, whichcannot be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 1, is retained in its positionillustrated in FIG. 7 until such time as the staple has pierced thematerial which is to be stapled, whereupon further movement of thetransmission lever 45 causes the paper rest 47 to move downwards, inorder to bring the anvil 6 into effect.

In the case of both exemplary embodiments, the tools 12 a to 12 c can beinserted into the implement as a module with a corresponding raisingmechanism for raising the tools 12 a to 12 c into an easy-to-gripposition, it being possible for this mechanism to be actuated via levers19 (FIG. 2) (not illustrated) which act on a pin 48.

In the case of the embodiment which is illustrated in FIG. 10, afurther, removable utensil 49 a, 49 b is arranged on both sides of thehousing 22 of the roll-up measuring tape 23, in each case in a shaft ofthe component 2. These utensils are constituted, in particular, by apair of tweezers (utensil 49 a) and a pen or pencil (utensil 49 b). Thetwo utensils 49 a, 49 b are provided with heads 50 on which in each caseone outwardly directed nose 51 is arranged. The heads 50 areaccommodated in a flush manner in the outer shell 2 a by correspondingcutouts 52 provided on the end side of the body, notches 53 beingarranged adjacent to the cutouts 52 in order for it to be possible touse a finger nail to act on the respective nose 51 for the removal ofthe utensil 49 a, 49 b and to pull the latter out on the end side.

1. Multipurpose hand-held implement having a first component and asecond component which are connected to one another for pivoting actionabout a pin and can be moved between a first position, in which theyform, together, an elongate body, and a second position, in which theyform a free space for material which is to be stapled, one componentcomprising a staple magazine and a top part with a staple driver and theother component comprising an anvil, and a roll-up measuring tape beingarranged in the body such that it can be pulled out, wherein the roll-upmeasuring tape is arranged with its winding spindle parallel to the pin,and adjacent to the latter, and can be pulled out on that end side ofthe body which is located adjacent to the pin.
 2. The multipurposehand-held implement of claim 1, wherein the roll-up measuring tape isarranged behind the staple magazine.
 3. The multipurpose hand-heldimplement of claim 1 or 2, wherein the roll-up measuring tape isarranged in a housing.
 4. The multipurpose hand-held implement of claim1 or 2, wherein an outer channel, which accommodates a staple carrier,and the top part, which bears the staple driver, are forked or providedwith a through-passage opening adjacent to the pin and accommodate theroll-up measuring tape in the region of the forking or through-passageopening.
 5. The multipurpose hand-held implement of claim 4, wherein theouter channel and the top part are mounted together on the pin.
 6. Themultipurpose hand-held implement of claim 1, wherein the component,which bears the anvil, comprises a U-shaped bearing block whichaccommodates the pin.
 7. The multipurpose hand-held implement of claim1, wherein a clip spring is arranged laterally in relation to theroll-up measuring tape, is supported on the top part and on thecomponent, which accommodates the anvil, and biases the components intothe second position.
 8. The multipurpose hand-held implement of claim 7,wherein two clip springs are provided, the roll-up measuring tape beingarranged between them.
 9. The multipurpose hand-held implement of claim7 or 8, wherein the clip spring is supported on a base plate of thecomponent, which accommodates the anvil.
 10. The multipurpose hand-heldimplement of claim 3, wherein the component, which accommodates theanvil, bears the housing, and the roll-up measuring tape is guided outof this housing via an end-side outlet opening.
 11. The multipurposehand-held implement of claim 10, wherein the component, whichaccommodates the anvil, has a base plate on which the housing isfastened.
 12. The multipurpose hand-held implement of claim 11, whereinthe housing is fitted into a cutout of the base plate and isadditionally riveted or latched.
 13. The multipurpose hand-heldimplement of claim 1, wherein the roll-up measuring tape is guided outof the components, which accommodates the anvil, through a slot at thatend of the component which is located opposite the anvil.
 14. Themultipurpose hand-held implement of claim 1, wherein a brake is providedfor the roll-up measuring tape.
 15. The multipurpose hand-held implementof claim 14, wherein the brake comprises a button which is biasedagainst the roll-up measuring tape via a spring.
 16. The multipurposehand-held implement of claim 14 or 15, wherein the brake forms asubassembly with the housing.
 17. The multipurpose hand-held implementof claim 10, wherein the component, which accommodates the anvil,accommodates swing-out tools on the end side which is located oppositethe outlet opening of the roll-up measuring tape.
 18. The multipurposehand-held implement of claim 4, wherein the staple carrier is forked inthe region of the roll-up measuring tape, the fork ends being fitted ina trigger arranged behind the roll-up measuring tape.
 19. Themultipurpose hand-held implement of claim 1, wherein at least one shaftfor accommodating a utensil is arranged in the second component,laterally in relation to the roll-up measuring tape, wherein the utensilcan be pulled out of the component on the end side.
 20. The multipurposehand-held implement of claim 19, wherein the at least one shaft isprovided on both sides of the roll-up measuring tape.
 21. Themultipurpose hand-held implement of claim 19 or 20, wherein the utensilis a pair of tweezers.
 22. The multipurpose hand-held implement of claim19, wherein the utensil is selected from the group consisting of a penor pencil.